Öko-Institut e.V.: Environmentally sound, collective and fair - Considering the social aspects of transformation

Editorial

[Translate to Englisch:] Jan Peter Schemmel, Sprecher der Geschäftsführung des Öko-Instituts

A transformation with many dimensions

Editorial by Jan Peter Schemmel, CEO, Oeko-Institut

The sustainability transformation is one of the biggest tasks that humankind has ever faced. And it’s a challenge in which there is more than one dimension to consider. There is of course the environmental dimension, but the technical, economic and – importantly – the social aspects must not be forgotten. Those who formulate environmental and climate policy must always factor in the social consequences – for people in our own country today, but also for future generations and people of…

A transformation with many dimensions

In Focus

A range of social effects

How does environmental policy affect people?

The air improves. Food becomes healthier. And employment becomes fit for the future. We often emphasise the positive effects of a shift towards greater sustainability. Protecting the climate, conserving biological diversity and hence making the necessary changes in production methods and consumption habits are important for the future wellbeing of humanity. At the same time, changes that are triggered or accelerated by environmental policy impose a burden on many people, who then…

A range of social effects

Enough money for electricity and heating

Environmental policy and affordable housing

The light is on in the living room. The accommodation is well heated. The bath tub fills with hot water. In this country, these things are taken for granted. But more and more people are worrying about whether they will still be able to afford the costs of electricity and heating tomorrow. Low-income households already spend about ten per cent of their income on these things. Many people are having to move because they can no longer afford their apartment after it has been…

Enough money for electricity and heating

[Translate to Englisch:] Dr. Ines Verspohl

“It’s not enough to just increase fuel prices”

Interview with Dr. Ines Verspohl (Sozialverband VdK Deutschland e.V.)

The transport sector is an area of concern in the transition to sustainable energy: it is not yet making any significant contribution to the climate targets. Radical change incorporating a wide range of approaches is therefore urgently needed. But methods of promoting the shift to sustainable transport using tools such as a carbon price on fuels have an impact not only on the environment but also on many people – for instance, because they have no access to public transport or…

“It’s not enough to just increase fuel prices”